却说华歆等一班文武，入见献帝。
Hua Xin was the spokesman of the deputation of officers that went into the Forbidden City,.
歆奏曰：“伏睹魏王，自登位以来，德布四方，仁及万物，越古超今，虽唐、虞无以过此。
and he spoke thus: "Since the inauguration of the Prince of Wei, virtue has spread to the four corners of the empire and humanity has permeated all the earth to a degree unexcelled in all the ages, even in the days of the ancient rulers, King Tang and King Yu
群臣会议，言汉祚已终，望陛下效尧、舜之道，以山川社稷禅与魏王，上合天心，下合民意，则陛下安享清闲之福，祖宗幸甚！
We, your servants, have taken account of these things and have reached the conclusion that the fortunes of Han is worn out, wherefore we trust Your Majesty, in imitation of the great prototypes King Yao and King Shun, will yield the mountains, the rivers, and the peoples to a more able guardian and high priest of the sacrifices in the person of the Prince of Wei, thereby pleasing Heaven and satisfying the hearts of humans, and enabling Your Majesty to enjoy the happiness of freedom and repose from the exacting duties of the chief ruler.
生灵幸甚！
The happiness of your ancestors and of humanity at large would thereby be enhanced.
帝闻奏大惊，半晌无言，觑百官而哭曰：“朕想高祖提三尺剑，斩蛇起义，平秦灭楚，创造基业，世统相传，四百年矣。
The Emperor listened in amazement, and for a time could not reply.
Then, looking at the assembly, he said sadly, "How can I abandon my empire for the sake of repose---the empire won by my Great Ancestor, its Founder, when, with a three-span sword, he slew the Snake and restored Right, and consolidated when he reduced Qin and overwhelmed Chu---the empire which has been handed down for four centuries?”
华歆引李伏、许芝近前奏曰：“陛下若不信，可问此二人。”
Then Hua Xin led forward Xu Zhi and Li Qu nearer the throne, saying, "If Your Majesty thinks we may be mistaken, pray ask these two, who will explain."
李伏奏曰：“自魏王即位以来，麒麟降生，凤凰来仪，黄龙出现，嘉禾蔚生，甘露下降，此是上天示瑞，魏当代汉之象也。”
Said Li Qu, "Since the Prince of Wei has taken his seat, the Jilin has descended, the Phoenix has appeared, the Yellow Dragon has come forth, the Grain of Felicity has flourished, and Sweet Dew has watered the earth.
All these things augur that Heaven decrees a change, and Wei must replace Han."
许芝又奏曰：“臣等职掌司天，夜观乾象，见炎汉气数已终，陛下帝垦隐匿不明；魏国乾象，极天际地，言之难尽。
Xu Zhi continued, "The astrologers, watching the aspect of the skies at night, have seen the blazing light of the star of Han gradually fade away and Your Majesty's own star become dim.
On the other hand, the aspect of the sky and the attitude of the earth have been wholly bright in favor of Wei to a degree hard to state in words.
更兼上应图谶，其谶曰：‘鬼在边，委相连，当代汉，无可言。
Moreover, the lots have been cast, and they gave the words 'Devil, at the side, has been sent, there must be an inroad upon Han without word'; another lot, '
言在东，午在西，两日并光上下移。’
Word, in east, light moves west, two suns radiating as the air blows south'These oracles gave two words which, joined, compose Xu; 'two suns, one on the other', which is Chang.
‘鬼在边，委相连’，是‘魏’字也；‘言在东，午在西’，乃‘许’字也；‘两日并光上下移’，乃‘昌’字也：此是魏在许昌应受汉禅也。
These signs are unmistakeable, for when put together the whole reads, 'Wei at Xuchang is to receive the abdication of Han.”
帝曰：“祥瑞图谶，皆虚妄之事，奈何以虚妄之事而遽欲朕舍祖宗之基业乎？”
"All empty words and madness, this talk of auguries and lots!
Is it reasonable that I should suddenly abandon the great heritage for such nonsense?”
王朗奏曰：“自古以来，有兴必有废，有盛必有衰，岂有不亡之国、不败之家乎？
Then Wang Lang said, "Wax and wane has been the law of all things from the beginning; every period of glory is followed by one of obscurity.
Has any rule endured forever or any House never failed?”
汉室相传四百余年，延至陛下，气数已尽，宜早退避，不可迟疑；迟则生变矣。”
The rule of Han, handed down through four centuries to Yourself, has lost its vigor, and the time has come to yield.
Retirement may not be delayed, or confusion will ensue."
帝大哭，入后殿去了。
The Emperor wept aloud and retired to his private chamber,
百官哂笑而退。
while the officers left the hall laughing.
次日，官僚又集于大殿，令宦官入请献帝，帝忧惧不敢出。
Next morning they assembled in the court, but the Emperor did not appear.
So they sent the Palace officers to request his presence.
Still he feared to show himself.
曹后曰：“百官请陛下设朝，陛下何故推阻？”
Empress Cao asked him, "Why do Your Majesty not hold the court as usual, especially when you are requested to go out?”
帝泣曰：“汝兄欲篡位，令百官相逼，朕故不出。”
"Because your brother wishes to depose me and become Emperor himself.
He has set the whole host of officers against me to force me to abdicate, and I will not expose myself to this compulsion."
曹后大怒曰：“吾兄奈何为此乱逆之事耶！”
"But what can have induced my brother to do such a dreadfully rebellious thing?”"said she angrily.
言未已，只见曹洪、曹休带剑而入，请帝出殿。
Just as she spoke, Cao Hong and Cao Xiu, both armed, forced their way into the inner apartments and requested His Majesty to come to the Hall of Audience.
曹后大骂曰：“俱是汝等乱贼，希图富贵，共造逆谋！
The Empress broke out into abuse: "So you are two of the disorderly rebels who, for the sake of your own ends, have conspired to upset all the good service of my father.
吾父功盖寰区，威震天下，然且不敢篡窃神器。
Though he overshadowed the whole land, yet he never dared to aspire to the sacred Throne.
今吾兄嗣位未几，辄思篡汉，皇天必不祚尔！”
But my brother, who has only just succeeded him, sets no bounds to his ambition and temerity and would usurp the Throne.
Heaven will surely cut off his offspring!"